23 August 2017, Clarke, Pampanga. Launched mid-July 2017, the Alyansa ng mga Baybaying Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga (ABB-BP) are the first alliance of local government officials from the coastal areas of Bulacan and Pampanga, supported by other non-government organizations / NGOs (including FEED), to “address flooding and rise of sea levels caused by the ill effects of climate change and global warming”.
The ABB-BP’s Technical Working Group (TWG) met on 22 August 2017 to plan the short-, mid- and long-term practical solutions required to address the increasingly frequent and severe climate change crises affecting tidal and fluvial flood prone communities; also faced with water pollution and coastal resource mis-management; disaster preparedness and other socio-economic development-related challenges.
Results of the TWG will be published and shared initially with the Governor of Bulacan, Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on 6 September 2017 to garner support and alignment from the province’s total efforts in these areas of immediate concern.
Hazard and Vulnerability Maps of Bulacan & Pampanga
Source: Province of Bulacan Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (2016) via Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).
Source: UPLB SEARCA (2009)
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, Chairman, ABB-BP Technical Working Group
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44MyIOwBYus
Bulacan, Pampanga Coastal Area Execs Join Forces vs Flooding, Climate Change
“Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, who was appointed as chairman of the technical working group of the newly-formed body said that the group understands the importance of coastal resource management and calamity preparedness in their respective communities…
“There is a need for a joint response and action for an effective solution to the flooding problem in our respective towns. One example is the dredging of the river. It must be done simultaneously and there should be an appropriate plan. The efforts and funding of one town in dredging the river will go to waste if the neighboring areas will not conduct the same,” Natividad said.
He also said that among the projects being planned is the massive planting of mangroves along the coastline of western Luzon from La Union to Cavite.
“It’s a Herculean task but it can be done,” he said, adding that dike experts from the University of Delft in The Netherlands have also committed to help the technical working group.
ABB-BP is composed of:
- LGU-Malolos represented by Mayor Natividad;
- LGU-Bulakan headed by Mayor Patrick Meneses;
- LGU-Calumpit headed by Mayor Jessie De Jesus;
- LGU-Hagonoy headed by Mayor Raulito Manlapaz Sr.;
- LGU-Paombong headed by Maryanne Marcos;
- LGU-Obando headed by Mayor Edwin Santos;
- LGU-Macabebe headed by Mayor Annete Balgan;
- LGU-Masantol headed by Danilo Guintu;
- Dr. Francisco A. Magno, director, Jesse Robredo Institute of Governance of De La Salle University and Engineer Angel Cruz, proponent and private sector representative.”
Source: Emil G. Gamos/ http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1001713
FEED’s presence was invited from onset to volunteer as an independent view for the group and to help raise awareness on the climate change crisis Philippine coastal communities are increasingly facing; and following various planting interventions conducted with partners “One Child, One Tree” and local volunteer groups in Bulacan (Hagonoy, Tibaguin, Malolos), including mulberry seedling and mangrove donations and nursery establishments; to planting of Bio-Intensive Gardens (BIG) and fruit trees in public schools:
- 8 Mayors from Bulacan and Pampanga Sign MOA to Tackle Climate Change Together (18 Jul 2017)
- Experiencing the Lives of Bulacan Fisherfolk: Courage Transforms Fujitsu’s Eco-Warriors to Plant 1,200 Mangroves (15 Jul 2017)
- Another People’s Organization Launched in Bulacan for the Protection of the Environment (29 May 2017)
- How does a rice farmer become a fisherman? Neighbours in Need: Alliance of Coastal Towns in Bulacan & Pampanga Formalise MOU for Coastal Resilience! (24 Mar 2017)
- San Nicolas Elementary Plants 145 Flood & Saline Proof Trees from St Jude Catholic School for Hagonoy, Bulacan (9 Mar 2017)
- “Kailangan Lahat Tayo”: 40,000 Mangrove Trees Planted in Bulacan to Restore a Critical Carbon Sink, Flood Protection System & Livelihood Source (2 Mar 2017)
- Founder of “One Child, One Tree” – Natalia Sali Becomes FEED Ambassador (17 Feb 2017
- 4000 Students Plant 800 Trees in 22 Hagonoy Public Schools to Tackle Climate Change: “One Child, One Tree” at a Time (13 Jan 2017)
- Sowing the Seeds for Growth and Development: ONE CHILD, ONE TREE Project (15 Nov 2016)
Contact FEED to Support the ABB-BP’s Disaster Preparedness for Coastal & Fluvial Communities
Please reach out to us if you wish to support our coastal resilience and disaster preparedness, through scholarships or nursery establishments/rehabilitation, to planting to tackle flooding and malnutrition: email info@feed.org.ph or via text/call to +63(0)917 5524722/30. Thank you!
© FEED, Inc.